Tes fatent



(No Model.) i sweets-sheet 1. G. WALTER.

MAT. No. 302,804. Patented July 29, 1884;

L a. @2* M@ N. PETERS. Phnm-Limugnplmr. wasningcol-L n. C.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-smet 2.

G. WALTER.

MAT.

No. 302,804. Patented July 29, 1884.

`ilianrien @raras Partnr Crates@ GUSIAV WAI/FER, OF ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT.

MAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part, or" Letters Patent No. 302,804, dated July 29, 188e.

Application filed May 15, 1883. (No model.) Y

I0 @ZZ 107mm, t may concern:

Be it known that I, GUs'rAv WALTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ansonia, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mats, ot' which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

rlhis invention relates to certain iinprovements in the construction of mats or analogous articles, as hereinafter described and claimed. V In the drawings, Figurelrepresents, in pen spective, a slatted mat constructed according to my invention, and showingr the position the rags, duc., assume when applied. Fie. 2 represents a perspective of a part of the central portion of such a mat. The dotted lines respectively represent material prior to its being clamped in position and the position of the clamping-bars while said material is being placed in position. Fig. 3 represents a modified forni of a slatted mat.

' It is the design of thisinvention to produce a slatted mat, rug, or analogous article by means of which any person without the exercise of extraordinary skill will be enabled to form rugs, mais, -and analogous articles, and will be enabled to utilize in such manufacture the rags or old clothing usually collecting around a house.

The frame or foundation for the mat, rug, or analogous article consists of the two side strips or bars, A A, and the two transverse end strips or bars, B B, each of which are ot' any desired material capable of resisting ordinary wear and tear. (Vhile it is preferred that these strips or bars be made of wood on account of its lightness, as compared with metal, still said strips may be made of metal or any other suitable or desired material.) The respective ends ofthe bars A are notched on their under side at c, to adapt the end bars, B, to rest therein, and said side and end bars are securely connected together by nails or other suitable fastening devices, I).

C represen ts slats, of which there may be any number desired, according to the width to which it is desired to construct the mat. These slats are of corresponding length to that of the sidebars, A, and are at their respective ends attached to the transverse end strips, B, by

nails or other suitable means, c. At or about the center of each upper face of each slat C is formed a notch or recess, d, for a purpose to be presently described. Projecting outwardly from each end of the slats C is an eye, 7L, through which rods F are passed when the strips D are in position, as will be presently described.

D D represent a series of hinged strips or rods, which are preferably of metal on account of its wear-resisti11g qualities. Fach of these strips has at its inner end, e, a hole, and at its outer end a vertical slot or recess, f. These strips or rods DDare each one-halt` the length of the frame, and are pivotally connected at their inner ends by means of a rod, E, which passes through the holesI g inthe inner ends ofsaid strips, and is secured at each end in the sides of the frame. These stripsD are placed in position one between each two ot' the slats. The rod E is then threaded through the holes g in the respective ends of said bars, and then the ends of said rod lare rigidly secured tc the side bars, A, by bending the ends ot' said rod downward and forcing them within said side bars or in any other improved manner. By this means the strips D are afforded hinge-connection with the rod, and are securely held in position between the slats C.

When it is desired to construct :a rug, mat, or analogous article, the rods F at either end arewithdrawn from engagement with the eyes h, and the strips D raised, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 2, and turned back upon the other halt' of the article. rlhe pieces of cloth or other' i'abric or the rubber strips CA are then placed across the slats, as shown in dotted line` Fig. 2. been so placed in position, each strip or rod D is returned upon the material and pressed down and between the slats, and as said strips D pass down between the slats they carry with them a portion ofthe material and clamp the same securely between the slats. Then, when suiticient material has thus been placed in position, the end rods, F, are passed through the eyes h in the ends or' the slats C, by which means said rods cli'ectually operate as a bar to the upward movement of the strips or rods D. The rods F, when passed through Then, when sufficient material has- IOO Ythe eyes 7L, rest within the notches or recesses cleaning medium or otherwise is to be such that when the strips have been folded down and locked in position a sufficient portion of the edges of such material shallV extend upward beyond the top of the slats C, in the manner shown in the drawings, to form the desired cleansing'or ornamental surface.

Whenever any portion of the material clamped between the slats C becomes so worn in use as to lose its usefulness, the end rod or rods are withdrawn, the hinged strips or rods raised, the worn portions removed, and other unworn pieces substituted therefor either by substituting a portion of the material from that part of the rug or mat not subjected to wear and placing the worn portions in their place or by substituting entirely fresh material. l

-The fabric employed may be either in short lengths or of a length to extend nearly or quite from end to end of each slat, and any number of layers may be used between each two adjacent slats.

Inpthe construction shown in Fig. 3 the mat is composed of a frame consisting of side pieces, A, and end pieces, B, and the slats C extend continuously from end to endl of the frame,and have in their outer ends transverse holes D. E represents strips of rubber, each having in its under side or edge a notch or hole, F. G represents a rod which is passed transversely through the holes in the slats and the notches or holes in the rubber strips, and serves to retain such members in and prevent the slats rising out of position, and also prevent the longitudinal movement of the rubber strips. Upon the requisite number of slats and rubber strips being placed in position,the

slats and rubber strips are pressed closely together, and the side and end pieces, Aand B', are then secured in position, by which means the several parts are securely clamped together.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The slatted mat or rug herein described, consisting of side bars, A, transverse end bars,

-B, slats C, having eyed ends, pivotal strips or rods D, and' rods Eand F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.`

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV VALTER.

' Witnesses:

. CHARLns L.- ULLMAN,

C. A. OAKS. 

